Workstation sink

Abstract

A workstation sink includes a bi-level ledge for supporting food preparation accessories at different elevations. Foods being prepared at an accessory such as a chopping board supported from an upper level of the ledge can be easily transferred to a further accessory, such as a colander or rack, supported from a lower level of the ledge. Further, rinsing or washing accessories on the upper level reduces splashing because the rinse water descends to the drain at the lower level.

Having thus described the invention there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent: 
     
         1 . A workstation sink comprising an upper peripheral edge, a pair of opposed substantially parallel inner walls extending in a generally vertical direction from the peripheral edge to a bottom, each inner wall including a ledge positioned beneath the upper peripheral edge for supporting food preparation accessories, each ledge including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending inwardly from the inner wall at distance beneath the peripheral edge less than that of the second portion whereby accessories supported from the ledge can be positioned at different elevations. 
     
     
         2 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the workstation sink includes side panels and the peripheral edge is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         3 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 1  further including accessories selected from the group consisting of a cutting board, a chopping board, a colander, a drying rack, a drain grid, a soaking vessel and a tray. 
     
     
         4 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the workstation sink is composed of a granite-quartz composition or fireclay. 
     
     
         5 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 1  wherein each inner wall includes a lower portion extending upwardly from the bottom and an upper portion which extends downwardly from the peripheral edge with the ledge transitioning between the upper portions and the lower portions. 
     
     
         6 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the lower portion of each inner wall is thicker than the lower portion. 
     
     
         7 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the ledge transitions at a step descending from the upper portion to the lower portion. 
     
     
         8 . A method of food preparation comprising the following steps:
 a) providing a workstation sink in accordance with  claim 1 ;   b) positioning a cutting block on the first portion of the ledge and a colander on the second portion of the ledge:   c) placing unprepared food suitable for cutting or chopping on the cutting block;   d) cutting or chopping the unprepared food;   e) sliding the chopped or cut food from the cutting block to the colander; and   f) rinsing the chopped or cut food within the colander.   
     
     
         9 . An improved workstation sink including a substantially rectangular container having a front apron panel, a rear panel and pair side panels, the sink including an upper peripheral edge, the front and rear panels having inner walls extending from the peripheral edge to a bottom, each inner wall including an inwardly extending ledge positioned beneath the upper peripheral edge for supporting food preparation accessories, wherein the improvement comprises each ledge including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending inwardly from the inner wall at distance beneath the peripheral edge less than that of the second portion, whereby accessories supported from the ledge can be positioned at different elevations. 
     
     
         10 . The improved workstation sink in accordance with  claim 9  wherein each inner wall includes a lower portion extending upwardly from the bottom and an upper portion which extends downwardly from the peripheral edge with the ledge transitioning between the upper portions and the lower portions. 
     
     
         11 . The improved workstation sink in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the ledge transitions at a step descending from the upper portion to the lower portion. 
     
     
         12 . The improved workstation sink in accordance with  claim 9  further including accessories selected from the group consisting of a cutting board, a chopping board, a colander, a drying rack, a drain grid, a soaking vessel and a tray. 
     
     
         13 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the workstation sink is composed of a granite-quartz composition or fireclay. 
     
     
         14 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the first portion of each ledge accommodates a first accessory and the second portion of each ledge accommodates more than one accessory. 
     
     
         15 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the first portion of each ledge carries a cutting or chopping block. 
     
     
         16 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the second portion of each ledge carries a colander and a rack. 
     
     
         17 . A workstation sink comprising a substantially rectangular container having a front apron panel, a rear panel and pair side panels, the sink including an upper peripheral edge, the front and rear panels having inner walls extending from the peripheral edge to a bottom, the inner surfaces of each panel including an inwardly projecting ledge for supporting food preparation accessories, each ledge including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending inwardly from the inner wall at distance beneath the peripheral edge less than that of the second portion, whereby accessories supported from the ledge can be positioned at different elevations within the workstation sink. 
     
     
         18 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 17  further including accessories selected from the group consisting of a cutting board, a chopping board, a colander, a drying rack, a drain grid, a soaking vessel and a tray. 
     
     
         19 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 17  wherein each inner wall includes a lower portion extending upwardly from the bottom and an upper portion which extends downwardly from the peripheral edge with the ledge transitioning between the upper portions and the lower portions. 
     
     
         20 . The workstation sink in accordance with  claim 19  wherein the ledge transitions at a step descending from the upper portion to the lower portion.